Thread: Does HPV vaccine promote promiscuity?

I was going to get on and say the same thing as Gloria, I think schools need to stay out of giving vaccines period. Schools here do not give vaccines, but if they were to to start I would be the first in line to step up and argue that health clinics are the place for vaccines not schools

Originally Posted by GloriaInTX

Do I think in promotes promiscuity? No

Do I think these Catholic schools should have the option of whether or not to offer it to students at school? Absolutely

It is a school, not a health clinic. It's strange none of my kids got any shots at school. No schools in this area give shots. If you want a shot go to a health clinic.

These were done in Canada. I'm assuming it's common since the other vaccines are done at school. Correct me if I'm wrong Canadian ladies.

Originally Posted by Jessica80

These were done in Canada. I'm assuming it's common since the other vaccines are done at school. Correct me if I'm wrong Canadian ladies.

Even if they give other vaccines at school I don't think this should be included as routine vaccination. Parents should be informed by their doctor or a health clinic the pros/cons of this vaccine before it is given. It is not the same as a measles shot.

Originally Posted by GloriaInTX

Even if they give other vaccines at school I don't think this should be included as routine vaccination. Parents should be informed by their doctor or a health clinic the pros/cons of this vaccine before it is given. It is not the same as a measles shot.

Of course they are. Even the Catholic school board send literature re HPV vax home to parents. HPV is not a routine vax, but is offered free of charge when students receive their other routine vaxes at the school clinics. Since the cost of Gardasil is prohibitive to many families without prescription coverage, I think it is awesome that it's free at school, IF the parents want their child vaxed. But then, we're talking about Canada's social system and the Canadian taxpayer's dollar going to fund these free vaccines, which I know full well you do not agree with.

Originally Posted by Jessica80

These were done in Canada. I'm assuming it's common since the other vaccines are done at school. Correct me if I'm wrong Canadian ladies.

You are mostly right. All Canadian students must have up-to-date routine vaccinations. Our vax schedule recommends shots at age 10 and then again at age 15, so the HPV vax is a freebie offered along with those routine vaxes if the parents want their daughter to have it. Many children still get their routine vaccines outside of school, but I would assume that parents who want the vax for their daughter would obviously have it done at school where there's no charge.

Originally Posted by mom3girls

I was going to get on and say the same thing as Gloria, I think schools need to stay out of giving vaccines period. Schools here do not give vaccines, but if they were to to start I would be the first in line to step up and argue that health clinics are the place for vaccines not schools

Why? I get my flu shot at work. And it's not like the lunchroom lady or janitor is administering the shots with a used needle. It's by an RN under completely sanitary and sterile conditions. I would argue that health clinics are probably a worse place to have them done.

Originally Posted by GloriaInTX

Even if they give other vaccines at school I don't think this should be included as routine vaccination. Parents should be informed by their doctor or a health clinic the pros/cons of this vaccine before it is given. It is not the same as a measles shot.

Why is it different from a measles shot? Because some people believe that cancer should be dangled over a girl's head as a consequence of unprotected sex?

I don't get why any vaccine is of concern because of WHERE it is done. Should only be a concern about WHO is doing it. I've gone to Minute Clinics to get a flu shot. Those stands at Walmart are staffed by medical professionals. Why would it be different at school? It's not like they are forcing you to get the vaccines at school. It's just offered there.

I agree it doesn't matter where it is done.

In Canada, we get a permission slip and information about the vax ahead of when the nurse comes to the school. Parents can decide whether or not their child gets the vax.

Originally Posted by GloriaInTX

Even if they give other vaccines at school I don't think this should be included as routine vaccination. Parents should be informed by their doctor or a health clinic the pros/cons of this vaccine before it is given. It is not the same as a measles shot.

Originally Posted by Alissa_Sal

Why is it different from a measles shot? Because some people believe that cancer should be dangled over a girl's head as a consequence of unprotected sex?

My personal concerns / questions are more centered on safety. I know that Merck & Co. has tremendously deep pockets and I am leery of when a drug is "fast-tracked" and then pushed for more uses (now being marketed to boys.) I know that I need to take time to research more -- and trust that I'm equally skeptical of the naysayers. Our own pediatrician was remaining somewhat cautious the last time we discussed. I'll have to tap their team again next time we're in.

I know most of you have read the CDC's (or Canadian equivalent) regarding safety along with numerous other "pro-vaccine" reports. Here are some representing another side:

The Truth About Gardisil (appears to have been last updated June, 2012)


CDC Report Stirs Controversy For Merck's Gardasil Vaccine (Source: ABC News -- Two things that struck me in my previous research that are pointed out in this article was that this does not prevent all types of HPV and that the importance of annual pap smears for early detection is key to treatment of cervical cancer. Additionally, many girls receive this series at the ages of 9-12. The findings show this vaccine is effective for 5 - 7 years. While some of these may be sexually active within that time frame, most would likely be after age 14 - 19 -- thus they may believe they are protected when they very well may not be?)

Is Gardisil Safe for Young Girls? (Souce: ABC News / Good Morning America)

Risks vs. Benefits of HPV Vaccine: Dr. Tim Johnson Weighs In (I did a quick search to see if this physician has backed off of his statement below but could not find any.):

From ABC News' Chief Medical Editor Dr. Timothy Johnson:


Today's issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) contains two articles ? and an excellent editorial ? addressing the question of whether the benefits of the Gardasil vaccine outweigh its risks. The vaccine is designed to prevent infection by two strains of the HPV (Human Papilloma Virus); these strains are said to account for about 70% of cervical cancer cases. The vaccine is now recommended for 11-12 year old girls before they become sexually active. For the first time in my career, I cannot recommend a vaccine for its intended population ? in this case, young girls. Therefore I am going to say that any parent considering this vaccine for their daughter should read the editorial in JAMA and then talk to their doctor before deciding.

The Risks and Benefits of HPV Vaccination (The Journal of the American Medical Association / JAMA -- editorial):

"The theory behind the vaccine is sound: If HPV infection can be prevented, cancer will not occur. But in practice, the issue is more complex. First, there are more than 100 different types of HPV and at least 15 of them are oncogenic. The current vaccines target only 2 oncongenic strains: HPV-16 and HPV-18. Second, the relationship between infection at a young age and development of cancer 20 to 40 years later is not known. HPV is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection, with an estimated 79% infection rate over a lifetime. The virus does not appear to be very harmful because almost all HPV infections are cleared by the immune system. In a few women, infection persists and some women may develop precancerous cervical lesions and eventually cervical cancer. It is currently impossible to predict in which women this will occur and why. Likewise, it is impossible to predict exactly what effect vaccination of young girls and women will have on the incidence of cervical cancer 20 to 40 years from now. The true effect of the vaccine can be determined only through clinical trials and long-term follow-up."

HPV vaccines: Gardasil becomes a market dud in wake of informed backlash (Source: June 2012 -- NaturalNews.com -- I am unfamiliar with this website, but did find that they did cite their sources. I just do not have time to research these fully right now. At last check, I thought Merck stock was going up due to the additional expected sales from now also targeting boys.)

'Serious lapses' in HPV vaccine trial (Source: May 2011, The Tribune (India)


and finally these two conflicting articles surrounding the death of a young girl in New Zealand:

No issues with teen's Gardasil, says MedSafe

Gardasil HPV DNA discovered in post mortem samples (This disputes that the speculation mentioned within the previous article of a potential heart problem by stating "full autopsy analysis had ruled out all known causes of death". No idea which is true. )


For the record, I have not reached a final conclusion yet and will take time to further research both sides. I just found those listed above at least enough to give me pause and the belief that it was something that I needed to look into further to fully understand (to the best of my ability) the risks / benefits.